Previewing Tuesday's Bluffton Town Council meeting

Here at Bluffton Today, we are amping up our efforts to do a better job of reaching our audience through the Internet and social media. This is the first of many blogs you'll see from me to keep everyone updated on what's happening with Bluffton and Beaufort County government, business, education, etc. As always, we welcome any tips, comments or suggestions from you, the readers we serve.

As part of the efforts, I've launched a new Twitter account for you to follow, which can be found at https://twitter.com/scottthompsonBT. It's currently in its infant stages, but hopefully I will get it rolling along soon. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for news updates and meeting updates, beginning with tonight's Bluffton Town Council meeting.

Speaking of the meeting, here's what's on tap tonight:

* Noise in Old Town has been a dominant topic the last several months, as residents have complained about late-night outdoor music being played at nearby restaurants and bars. Following months of research and discussion, town staff tonight will introduce an amendment to the town's noise ordinance that would place tighter regulations on the times music can be played and how loud it can be. A petition to keep the current ordinance the same is also scheduled to be delivered to council. If council approves the proposal, it will have to take the matter up again for second reading along with public comments next month.

* Also at tonight's meeting, councilmen-elect Larry Toomer and Fred Hamilton will be sworn in. Toomer won the Nov. 5 general election, while Hamilton, a former two-term councilman and mayor pro-tem defeated incumbent Mike Raymond in a Nov. 19 runoff. Council will also select the new mayor pro-tem. Oliver Brown, who had been serving in that spot, finished fifth in a seven-man field in the general election.

For those interested in attending, the meeting is at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 20 Bridge Street.

Again, be sure to follow me on Twitter for updates and check back at blufftontoday.com later tonight for more coverage.

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